SHADO Mobile

Not too many parts in this one and I won't be using all of them anyway. 

The cabin is no more than a base with a transparent top. If you look through the front windows, you can see straight through the back of the cab into the void inside the rear. I've made a simple back wall for the cab on a CAD program and attached it to the rear wall of the cabin with upvc adhesive. I might seal the edges with CA later. 

The kit includes a tiny Sky 1. Good luck painting the name on the side! 

A quick test fit of the main parts. All good. 

This is the test fit of the cabin transparency with the printed rear fitted. 

It's no worse than the minimal interior detail in the kit. 

The grill was dry brushed with silver. I used watercolour pencil for the dials 

You can actually see it all through the side windows. 

All the external parts are on the cab. As I said, some filler is required. The rocket launcher ports have been blocked up and will get some filler. 1mm diameter AK headlights are on order. I've ordered some Peugeot Moonshine Blue car paint, which research shows to be about the right shade. I'll prime in black, then give it a coat of silver before applying the blue. The decals are still on the window sill, waiting for the clouds to part. 

Basic driver painting done, with sideburns, naturally. The head is a separate part. Had to reduce the neck length considerably as it looked like a giraffe was driving. 

Test fit of cabin, complete with driver. 

I wasn't happy with the transparent part in the kit (very scratched), so I've made my own glazing from thin flexible plastic. Not perfect, but certainly better. 

Primed for painting tomorrow 

Base coat applied. It's a bit lighter than I would have liked, but that can be solved. It's a perfect shade for an SPV though. 

The tracks have been patched up and the whole given a semi-gloss coat. Once the decals have lost the last bit of yellowing, I'll get them on and start weathering. Note that the clear coat has darkened the colour a little. 

Stripe decals are done on one side. Not perfect, but not bad. Lots of softener required to get them to pull down into the panel lines. 

The radiator grill is not very well moulded, so I'm adding a mesh front to it. I'll prime & paint it first, then attach it to the original part before fitting to the kit. I've noticed in photos of the studio model that the radiator aperture has a thin red stripe around it. Thinking cap on for that! 

The decals are now complete. The text decals are vinyl stickers intended for the Dinky Toys Mobile, I'll have to give it another varnish coat before proceeding further to blend the thickness of the stickers. 

The studio model had other stencils on the RHS. I don't think I've got anything I can use to fake those at the moment. 

I managed to get the stripes to match on each side. It's not just the drivers sideburns you have to get even with this kit! 

The mesh has been glued to the original part and dry fitted. It certainly looks better. 

The panel liner has been added and I've applied wash around the wheels & underside. The radiator grill has had one treatment of panel liner, but it will need a second as some of the liner has come out of the holes. I'm useng the colours for panzer grey as it's the closest match. The greenish wash will bring the look closer to the studio model. I can't help but think that the hull is sitting too low on the tracks. There's no room for any movement of the suspension. 

Overall wash slathered on in quantity. Time for lunch! 

The bulk of the wash has been cut back, leaving that hint of green which is so distinctive on the TV screen. Once it has dried, I'll be able to tell whether a second treatment is needed. 

Another test fit of the radiator grill. It's getting there, slowly. I think another green wash coat is needed. 

A second wash was left to dry overnight. 

Looking a bit more like it now. Next, dirt! 

The grill is now fitted and a bit of dirt added, plus the beginnings of the headlights done. 

The dust coat is on. Next job will be the exhaust stack, then finishing the headlights. A matt coat will follow. I'm still toying with the idea if raising the hull a couple of millimetres before jouning the top & bottom. 

Finished! I removed the track units and dropped them about 2mm. Looks better for it, I think. 

There's no disguising the thickness of the vinyl stickers! I've just had to face up to the fact that this is more of a build-it-yourself toy than a model kit and concentrate on the paint job to make it look right.